by Shane Hylton
Columnist
All on the same day, Tim Tebow is looking for a new team, the pope resigned (coincidence?), and Grand Forks Public Schools actually cancelled classes for a snow day! What is this world coming to? On a more interesting note a North Dakotan has received the Congressional Medal of Honor on the same day that Navy Seal Chris Kyle was laid to rest in Texas.
Headlines such as, “Pope’s sudden resignation sends shockwaves through the Church”, have been littering papers and websites since earlier this week. Pope Benedict announced that he would stand down, after saying he no longer had the physical or mental strength to carry on. Pope Benedict is the first Pope to resign in 700 years. It will be interesting to see what happens next in the Church as it is still reeling from scandals and attacks on it’s views. According to a Vatican spokesman, a new Pope could be elected as soon as Palm Sunday, March 24th.
A North Dakota veteran who helped “defend the indefensible” at an Army outpost in Afghanistan received the nation’s highest award for military valor last Monday at a White House ceremony that also honored the eight men who did not survive an attack by the Taliban.
President Barack Obama praised former Army Staff Sgt. And Minot, ND resident Clinton Romesha’s bravery in fighting back a daylong barrage by Taliban fighters. The Taliban attacked Combat Outpost Keating in the mountains near the Pakistan border at 6 AM on the 3rd of Oct. 2009. Waking Staff Sgt. Romesha out of his bunk and into what Obama said has been called one of the most intense battles of the war in Afghanistan. The U.S. soldiers were outnumbered 53 to more than 300, but most survived against the insurmountable odds. “These men were outnumbered, outgunned, and almost overrun,” Obama said. After receiving the medal Romesha had this to say, “I’m feeling conflicted with this medal I now wear, the joy comes from recognition for us doing our jobs as soldiers on distant battlefields, but is countered by the constant reminder of the loss of our battle buddies, my battle buddies, my soldiers, my friends.”
Romesha has served two tours in Iraq and is the fourth living Medal of Honor recipient for actions in Iraq or Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. Romesha grew up in the town of Lake City, Calif., was deployed out of Fort Carson, Co. He comes from a long line of service to country, fulfilling a tradition shared by his grandfather, his father and his brothers. Staff Sgt. Romesha now lives in Minot, N.D., with his wife and three children and works in the Bakken oil fields.
President Barack Obama applauds as Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha looks over at his wife and children after receiving the Medal of Honor during the award ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 11, 2013.
On the same day that Staff Sgt. Romesha and his fellow soldiers were honored, Chief Petty Officer and Navy Seal Sniper Chris Kyle was honored at his funeral service in Cowboy’s Stadium in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area of Texas. Chief Kyle was the most prolific sniper in U.S. military history. He served four tours in Iraq and received numerous awards for bravery.
According to police, Kyle, 38, and a friend, Chad Littlefield, 35, were shot to death by a fellow Iraq veteran who had been struggling with mental health problems and who they were helping work through PTSD. Kyle’s death has many asking why flags were not flown at half-staff. The loss of Kyle and many others is always tragic, but for someone of his stature and his unending willingness to help others, our world has lost a great man.
Around Town
6th Annual Frozen Feat
The 6th Annual Frozen Feat 5k/10k and Lovebirds race is scheduled for February 16, 2013 at 10 AM. To accommodate the growing numbers, the race has moved across to Central High School. The route will have a few minor changes (all for the better!), and race coordinators are sticking to commitment of quality race swag including a long sleeve technical shirt, a customized medal, and “the best trophies we’ve ever had!” New this year: Age awards! We want to recognize runners who are excelling in their age divisions, so watch for those categories to be announced closer to race day.
Online AND Paper registration now available on Active.com, www.rungrandforks.com, www.frozenfeat.com
Packet pickup and race registration/chip check at Scheel’sin Grand Forks on Friday, Feb 15th beginning at 4PM AND at Central HS commons area on race day starting at 8:30AM.
RACE WILL GO ON COME RAIN OR SNOW OR SLEET OR SHINE!!!
For more information visit: www.frozenfeat.com
George Strait “Cowboy Rides Away” Tour
I cannot wait for this one! The Alerus Center in Grand Forks will be one of the stops on George Strait’s final, two-year, Cowboy Rides Away Tour. Special guest will be Martina McBride. The Cowboy Rides Away Tour will offer fans a final opportunity to take in Strait’s live tour show filled with hits from throughout his remarkable career. Strait has thus far yielded 59 No. 1 songs, has earned more than 60 major industry awards and sold over 65 million albums. One of the most spectacular voices in any genre of music, McBride has sold more than 18 million albums and has garnered six No. 1 singles.
General public tickets will go on sale Friday, October 12, at 10 a.m. Tickets are priced at $89.50 and $69.50 plus facility fees and applicable convenience charges. They will be available at the Alerus Center Ticket Office, all Ticketmaster Outlets, Ticketmaster’s charge by phone at 800.745.3000 and online at ticketmaster.com.
As of now this is looking like it will be the biggest event the Alerus has hosted, possibly eclipsing the Cher concert! See you there!